THE FIJI STRIKE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16046, 10 February 1920, Page 2

THE FIJI STRIKE.

EFFORTS TO PREVENT RIOTING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SUVA, February 8. The lidian strike continues, but it is confined to the districts of Suva, Navua, and Itewa. The authorities have adopted precautions to prevent rioting. The food commission is taking evidence. CABLE FROM THE GOVERNOR. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY SET UP His Excellency the Governor-General has been advised by the Governor of Fiji that the position regarding the strike of Indians in Fiji is as follow's— All Indian workers are still out at Suva, Rewa., and South Coast centres. They put forward no demands before striking, and it was only late this week that they supplied a statement of grievances by deputation to me. I thereupon appointed a commission to inquire into the whole question of wages and the high cost of living which is stated to be the cause of the trouble. The commission has been welcomed by the-- public generally and by the Indians, who are selecting representatives to give evidence and preparing statements. Agitators have been try ing to extend the strike to the sugar centres on the north coast and west coast, but yesterday the Colonial Sugar Refining Company made a substantial offer of increased wages and the price for cane to the Indian employees and growers, f have not yet heard whether these have been accepted. Large numbers of Indians at Suva and Rewa arc out unwillingly, but the others, encouraged by agitators, are preventing them from resuming work by intimidation.”